Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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506. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if planning authorities, under the planning Act or lobbying Act, are required to record details of consultations or discussions with landowners, developers or public representatives in respect of proposals to zone lands in relation to which the discussions happen separately​ to the process of written submissions on draft developme​n​t plans. [20837/17]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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507. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if planning authorities, under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2015 or lobbying Act, are required to record details of consultations or discussions with certain groups of persons (details supplied) in respect of proposals to zone lands regarding which the discussions happen separately to the process of written submissions on draft development plans. [20838/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 506 and 507 together.

The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and my Department's Development Plan Guidelines set out in detail the requirements which the local authorities must follow when preparing their development plans. In this regard, there is no statutory consultation or discussion based process with land owners, developers or public representatives in respect of proposals to zone lands outside the development plan making process.

It is within the development plan process, which is approved by the elected members of the authority within an overall open and transparent and recorded process, that overall strategies for proper planning and sustainable development of relevant areas are prepared. The legislation provides for extensive consultation in relation to the development plan, both with the general public and certain prescribed bodies, who are offered the opportunity to make submissions or observations prior to the making of the draft development plan, and on the draft plan when it has been made, submissions which must be considered by the planning authority. The making of a development plan, the public consultation process around the making of the plan and the procedures for recording the decision making process are set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).

In addition to the planning process, Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001 sets out an ethical framework for all those involved in the local government service, both elected members and employees. This framework imposes a statutory duty on all in the service to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest.

The statutory requirements are complemented by two Codes of Conduct, one for elected members and one for employees. The purpose of the Codes is to set out standards and principles of conduct and integrity, to inform the public of the conduct it is entitled to expect, and to maintain and enhance public trust and confidence in local government. The Codes make specific reference to planning matters and emphasise the importance of transparency and following due process within the requirements of the statutory planning framework.

The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 serves to provide information to the public about lobbying activities including those engaged in lobbying, on whose behalf lobbying is being carried out, the issues involved and intended results. Through the www.lobbying.ie website, advice and written guidance has been provided on the functioning of the Act and with specific regard to the planning process, including the types of communications involved and designated public officials relevant to the Act. Where lobbying activities defined under the Act with designated public officials are being engaged in by lobbyists, which may include planning matters, then the Act requires that the lobbyists involved must provide information at regular intervals about their lobbying activities to the Standards in Public Office Commission.